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Saturday, August 20, 2011

"The Help"

Yesterday at about 3pm, I was sitting at my computer, ready to post my blog about the highly-acclaimed novel-turned movie The Help. For some reason, though, something told me it still was not quite finished. So here is my "new and improved" message to you, part two.

Last weekend, I saw The Help with my family. There seemed to be a unanimous sense of approval coming from the audience; the movie was "up to par" at exemplifying the early '60s in the South. However, after reading another author's take on the movie, my perception of the film's wide-spread acceptance was nothing more than a complete delusion. Instead of applauding author Kathryn Stockett for a job well-done at writing the women of The Help's true stories, some African American women were unappreciative and somewhat resentful by the fact that a "white woman told a black woman's story". Was the story not told, nonetheless? I was baffled by the reactions I was reading! One woman wrote that a white woman could never know what the African American women experienced.

Kathryn Stockett's primary purpose for compiling these true stories of The Help into a book was not to cause an uproar against the white race, nor was it written to promote a handicap for African Americans. Stockett wanted her listeners to relive these historical and heart-wrenching events to soak up the lessons of courage and liberation! Rather than waste time and effort arguing at who wrote this inspirational story, let's come together and look at how far Americans have pushed and fought to get where we are today from just 50 years ago. One woman beautifully wrote: "If we look seriously at what is happening in America today, there is a need for that knowledge. There is a need for that connection. There is a need for seeing the spirit and determination of those people." This was said by an African-American woman whose husband was gunned-down on his front lawn in Jackson, Miss. in 1963. It is a precious gift to live in today's America, where men and women can vote; people of all races can attend the same schools and universities; mothers can also be working professionals; fathers can shamelessly be stay-at-home dads; and people of all religions are free to practice their choice of spirituality. Let us not forget who we are as a society now. To have history is to have a road map for the future. I encourage you to listen to the morals of the story from The Help and take them it for what they are really worth. We each have one life to live. Live yours, love yours, and let others do the same.

If you feel that you or someone you know may be struggling with a social or a personal battle, Lifechanging Counseling would love to help be that extra guide. Give us a call today or visit our website! Also, be sure to sign up to receive your free book, written by Ms. Jama Thurman, LPC herself!